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Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: franksolich on January 23, 2011, 08:27:37 AM

Title: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: franksolich on January 23, 2011, 08:27:37 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=268x4247

Oh my.

The campfire was lit a month ago, but the primitive's been good about updating.

Quote
ixion  (1000+ posts)        Sun Dec-26-10 07:10 AM
Original message
 
Today I move from the city to the country... 

Over the summer, I bought a 7 acre property, and have been building an off-grid farm. Today is moving day. The property still needs a great deal of work, and the first couple months are going to be more like camping, but it's the realization of a goal I've had since the 80's. So despite the adversity, I'm pretty excited at the prospect. I'll keep DU posted on how things go.

Quote
alphafemale  (1000+ posts)        Sun Dec-26-10 07:26 AM
Response to Original message
 
1. Do you have a well and septic at least. 

By off grid you mean wind or solar power?

Quote
ixion  (1000+ posts)        Sun Dec-26-10 09:05 AM
Response to Reply #1
 
6. I'll have a well at some point, but at this point I'm using water from my neighbor's well stored in a holding tank. In lieu of septic, I'm using dry compost.

I've got a small solar array at this point, which I'm going to expand to include more solar, wind, and power from a steam turbine I'm building.

Quote
alphafemale  (1000+ posts)        Sun Dec-26-10 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #6
 
20. Did something like that for awhile.

Here's an off the grid tip.

We used 5 gallon water jugs but you can improvise.

Spray paint them black. Put where they get sun most of day. Voila!!! Solar water heater.

Especially in FL this might work all year for giving you hot water.

Quote
dixiegrrrrl  (1000+ posts)      Sun Dec-26-10 07:55 AM
Response to Original message
 
2. Congratulations!!!! A 20 year dream realized. Wow.

I hope it goes wonderful for you.

I guarantee it will be memorable, adventurous, unpredictable, marvelous, and rewarding.

Also maybe cold????? Don't know where you are, but there is bound to be winter around there somewhere.

Quote
ixion  (1000+ posts)        Sun Dec-26-10 09:07 AM
Response to Reply #2
 
7. thanks, dixiegrrrrl!   

I think you're correct in that it will be adventurous and memorable, etc.

I'm down here in Florida, so it'll be cold at time, but workable.

Quote
WhiteTara  (1000+ posts)       Sun Dec-26-10 08:39 AM
Response to Original message

5. Country life is beautiful and filled with the hardest work possible. You're going to love it!

Quote
ixion  (1000+ posts)        Sun Dec-26-10 09:13 AM
Response to Reply #5
 
10. Yep, that's the truth... 

I grew up part-time on a farm in Nebraska, and always loved being out away from the city. I've been working this property since July, and you're right, the work is very hard, but very, very rewarding.

Quote
enough  (1000+ posts)      Sun Dec-26-10 09:18 AM
Response to Original message
 
11. What part of the country are you moving to?

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ixion  (1000+ posts)        Sun Dec-26-10 09:20 AM
Response to Reply #11
 
12. I'm in Florida...so I'm only moving a few miles from where I'm at now.

Quote
cleanhippie  (1000+ posts)      Sun Dec-26-10 09:25 AM
Response to Original message
 
14. Please, please, please continue to post on this.

Would love to know what you have done and what you plan to do. This is also a plan I am actively working on.

Quote
newfie11 (1000+ posts)      Mon Dec-27-10 04:30 AM
Response to Original message
 
23. Congratulations!!

We moved to the country 40 years ago. I was told then to give it a year to adjust. 40 years and 4 farms later we are still in the country. Due to our age we sold our place in the SD Black Hills that was 40 miles from town and bought this farm in Nebraska panhandle. Now 6 miles from town, best of both worlds.You will not regret it.

Quote
ixion  (1000+ posts)        Wed Jan-12-11 07:05 AM
Response to Original message

38. Update: Jan, 12, 2011 

It has been nearly two weeks since I moved out here full time. The first night was very mild. Then the weather set in. Two nice days withstanding, it has been either cold or wet. The inclement weather has slowed the forward motion, but still I'm making progress. I've got the 1800 watt generator running nearly 24/7 to keep the batteries charged up. My big development laptop really sucks down the watts, and the long distance wireless power supply fails on an inverter. Hence, until I can produce at least 1800 watts of consistent household-grade current, the generator is a annoying necessity. It's good motivation to get the wattage up on my hybrid array. For right now, however, the array is lower on the priority list. With the cold and rainy weather, much of the time is spent stowing the items from my townhouse, now under the cover of a various system of tarps, and upgrading the chicken coop to protect them from the weather.

It's amazing to start to really itemize the amount of power you require daily to survive. Between gas for the generator, propane for the stove, 'fridge and space heater, kerosene for the coop heater, I'm definitely not self-sustaining and will need to produce a great deal more power. Power and water are the two main obstacles to overcome as quickly as possible. Once I've got the camp able to withstand a heavy winter storm (for down here, at least), I need to turn my attention to beefing up the hybrid array and building my cistern.

As expected, it's hard living and a great deal of work. Who says adventure is dead?

Quote
Shagbark Hickory (1000+ posts)      Tue Jan-18-11 06:06 PM
Response to Reply #38
 
41. Space heater? HAven't you got any wood?

You shouldn't be burning through that much propane on a stove either but you could conceivably kill two birds with one stone by getting a wood/pellet/corn stove.

I suggest working on insulating the place and getting some thick blankets. Space heaters are very expensive to operate. What part of florida are you in anyway? It can't be that bad

Quote
ixion  (1000+ posts)        Sat Jan-22-11 03:43 PM
Response to Reply #41
 
44. Yeah, that's the goal, long term. Right now, I'm in a 30' Coachman that is acting as temporary lodgings until I can finish the house, etc. Ultimately, I'll be using thermal mass to maintain a less flexible temperature in the house. For now, it's just extreme camping.

I do have a fire pit as well, but when these winter storms blow through they issue fire warnings, so I'm unable to have a fire on the cold nights.

Quote
creeker (135 posts)      Fri Jan-21-11 05:32 PM
Response to Original message
 
43. I wish you the best

But you need much more land (many acres)or maybe more to pay for the technology. have you a creek or stream? if so consider energy from it---------

Quote
ixion  (1000+ posts)        Sat Jan-22-11 03:46 PM
Response to Reply #43
 
46. no creek or a stream, but lots of sun and some decent wind 

fortunately, the money for the technology isn't coming from working the land. I'm a software engineer, and that's what is funding the project. Appreciate the well wishes!

Quote
ixion  (1000+ posts)        Sat Jan-22-11 03:52 PM
Response to Original message

47. Update: Jan 22, 2011
 
There's another nor'wester blowing in today. I had some work to do for a client this morning, then went out an picked up two 8 foot gates to fill their designated place in the gate, in my on-going effort to keep the cows out of the site. After that, I spent the afternoon battening down the hatches and preparing for another night in the 20's. It's been a helluva winter.

I've made some progress on the fire pit and the chicken coop, and am only days away from switching to using the hybrid array instead of the generator. I'm going to bring in a 5,000 watt industrial grade inverter. No more kidding around. I've got to get the wind turbine up (I'd be cranking in the watts today!), and I've got another small solar array to add to the mix. It'll give me enough power to run the coop and my lights and computers, but I'll still have to fire up the generator occasionally to top them off until I can get more wattage in the array. My initial target is 2,000 watts of wind and solar. If I'm able to get the steam turbine working, I won't have to use the generator at all. so that's also a priority. Work comes first though, so the progress is stifled somewhat.

In any case, I'm adapting, and working into a routine. That's a start.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Ballygrl on January 23, 2011, 09:04:01 AM
How is he going to use air conditioning in the summer? It gets really hot in Florida.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: BlueStateSaint on January 23, 2011, 09:06:10 AM
How is he going to use air conditioning in the summer? It gets really hot in Florida.

That solar stuff, or wind power. :???: :loser:
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Freeper on January 23, 2011, 09:08:31 AM
Wind powered AC

(http://i53.tinypic.com/20sawzs.jpg)

 :-)
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Ballygrl on January 23, 2011, 09:10:20 AM
:lmao:
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: JohnnyReb on January 23, 2011, 09:13:17 AM
Do pray tell what is going to fire the boiler for that wonderful steam turbin......and 2,000 watts will hardly run a refridgerator....even the Obama green ones.

DUmmie will soon move back to town if he can afford too.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Vagabond on January 23, 2011, 09:55:30 AM
It can be done.  Les "Survivorman" Stroud built a house in Canada that is mostly self sufficient, but he conceded how hard making a modern house completely self sufficient really is.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Celtic Rose on January 23, 2011, 09:58:53 AM
Honestly, I would love to be able to live out in the country in a mostly self sufficient house on a bunch of land, so I wish him luck.  Reading through his posts though, I get the feeling that he should have done a lot more prep work before moving out there. 
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: JohnnyReb on January 23, 2011, 10:21:55 AM
You can live in the country and be self sufficient like this DUmmie wants too as long as two things hold out...your health and/or your money.

Come up lacking in either one of those and you will no longer be self sufficient. 
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: IassaFTots on January 23, 2011, 10:22:07 AM
It can be done.  Les "Survivorman" Stroud built a house in Canada that is mostly self sufficient, but he conceded how hard making a modern house completely self sufficient really is.

I saw that.  I was hoping that he would do a follow up show, a few years out.  
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: MrsSmith on January 23, 2011, 10:26:20 AM
You know, this type of life worked for our ancestors because they didn't have computers, TVs, refrigerators, gas or electric stoves, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, etc. etc. 

I wouldn't mind giving up a lot of that stuff, but I think I'd really prefer to build somewhere with access to natural gas, hopefully from my own land.   :-) :-)
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on January 23, 2011, 10:37:06 AM
Quote
creeker (135 posts)      Fri Jan-21-11 05:32 PM
Response to Original message
 
43. I wish you the best

But you need much more land (many acres)or maybe more to pay for the technology. have you a creek or stream? if so consider energy from it---------

Yeah, good luck getting the 30' head you need to get any usable power out of THAT in FL!

 :rotf:
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: BlueStateSaint on January 23, 2011, 11:31:47 AM
It can be done.  Les "Survivorman" Stroud built a house in Canada that is mostly self sufficient, but he conceded how hard making a modern house completely self sufficient really is.

I've got one of his books up next on my list--right after Cory Lundin's.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on January 23, 2011, 12:06:44 PM
It can be done.  Les "Survivorman" Stroud built a house in Canada that is mostly self sufficient, but he conceded how hard making a modern house completely self sufficient really is.

Yeah..."It can be done" IF you have a Bob Vila-level pile of cash to invest in it.  I saw part of Les's series on that house, he poured some big money into it.

It's of course also possible to do it on very modest means, but really that's mostly going to work if you are a heavy-duty tinkerer with some serious electromechanical skillz and don't need to spend 80% of your waking hours earning a living, and you are willing to take it in steps instead of trying to go cold-turkey off the grid in one fell swoop.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: JohnnyReb on January 23, 2011, 12:17:01 PM
Yeah, good luck getting the 30' head you need to get any usable power out of THAT in FL!

 :rotf:

I reworked an old pond for a fellow once...then graded for an overshot water wheel and mill house. The water wheel was 25' in diameter and an engineer calculated that with a full flow from a 12" inch pipe and at 5 rpm's that it should furnish 90 horse power. You could do well on that much horse power.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on January 23, 2011, 12:21:49 PM
I reworked an old pond for a fellow once...then graded for an overshot water wheel and mill house. The water wheel was 25' in diameter and an engineer calculated that with a full flow from a 12" inch pipe and at 5 rpm's that it should furnish 90 horse power. You could do well on that much horse power.

Absolutely, but I don't think there are many places in Florida where you could get a 5' drop on seven acres, let alone that kind (Which would be super for going total micro-hydro).  There is a pretty good DOE pub on the web that runs down the throughput force and quantities you need per KW.  I've got the drop, but not a sufficiently reliable year-round water source to do it.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: JohnnyReb on January 23, 2011, 12:45:21 PM
Absolutely, but I don't think there are many places in Florida where you could get a 5' drop on seven acres, let alone that kind (Which would be super for going total micro-hydro).  There is a pretty good DOE pub on the web that runs down the throughput force and quantities you need per KW.  I've got the drop, but not a sufficiently reliable year-round water source to do it.

Well, if you happened to have one of those "large" springs on your place, say like Troy Springs or Manatee Springs, you could do fine with only a couple of feet drop. The large volume flow in either of those two could be used to run one of those floating water wheels like those used in the low country of S.C. in the 1700's. It looked a lot like a Mississippi paddle boat wheel.

With a little forethought and some modern engineering, either of those 2 springs could pull a heck of a load.


 
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Tucker on January 23, 2011, 12:49:05 PM
This little humorous tale comes to mind.

http://www.homebuilt.org/cmdrdata/jokes/04/0171.html
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: AllosaursRus on January 23, 2011, 12:57:27 PM
If he plans on usin' solar power for his turbine, I would recommend he looks up old volumes of "The Mother Earth News". back in the 80's they had plans for a 10' x 10' mirror array on a gimbal frame that tracked the sun and generated enough steam for a turbine. The hardest part is coming up with a radiator that can withstand the pressure generated when water expands 1800 times it's original volume when heated basically instantaneous!

I built a miniature back in the late eighties that generated around 600° Fahrenheit in direct sunlight focused on a 12" x 12" old boiler radiator from a household heating system! Back then the electronics didn't exist cheap enough to make it feasible, but nowadays I could put them together for under a hundred bucks!

The basic idea is 144 12" mirrors all aimed to one point that tracked the sun in order to keep the "beam" on the radiator.

I built a 4' x 4' with smaller mirrors in order to see if it worked and was surprised at the heat the thing could generate! Mine wasn't big enough to make continual steam, but I could see where it is indeed possible!

Of course you would have to have battery back up and a converter to use AC, but it is possible and I wish him luck.

He's not shootin' very high though. 2000 watts is basically no more than it takes to light 20 1oo watt light bulbs! No fridge will run on that, and without refrigeration he's ****ed!

Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on January 23, 2011, 01:18:16 PM
This little humorous tale comes to mind.

http://www.homebuilt.org/cmdrdata/jokes/04/0171.html

 :rotf:

Out Floridian DUmmie may have a chapter to add to that one, this time next year!
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: JohnnyReb on January 23, 2011, 01:20:32 PM
If he plans on usin' solar power for his turbine, I would recommend he looks up old volumes of "The Mother Earth News". back in the 80's they had plans for a 10' x 10' mirror array on a gimbal frame that tracked the sun and generated enough steam for a turbine. The hardest part is coming up with a radiator that can withstand the pressure generated when water expands 1800 times it's original volume when heated basically instantaneous!

I built a miniature back in the late eighties that generated around 600° Fahrenheit in direct sunlight focused on a 12" x 12" old boiler radiator from a household heating system! Back then the electronics didn't exist cheap enough to make it feasible, but nowadays I could put them together for under a hundred bucks!

The basic idea is 144 12" mirrors all aimed to one point that tracked the sun in order to keep the "beam" on the radiator.

I built a 4' x 4' with smaller mirrors in order to see if it worked and was surprised at the heat the thing could generate! Mine wasn't big enough to make continual steam, but I could see where it is indeed possible!

Of course you would have to have battery back up and a converter to use AC, but it is possible and I wish him luck.

He's not shootin' very high though. 2000 watts is basically no more than it takes to light 20 1oo watt light bulbs! No fridge will run on that, and without refrigeration he's ****ed!



I remember reading about a mountain top in France with a mirror array that can generate tempertures higher than those found on the surface of the sun.....now we're talking steam production.... at least for a little while...until you vaporize the plumbing.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DefiantSix on January 23, 2011, 01:22:24 PM
:puke: This part really grossed me out:

Quote
ixion  (1000+ posts)        Sun Dec-26-10 09:05 AM
Response to Reply #1
 
6. I'll have a well at some point, but at this point I'm using water from my neighbor's well stored in a holding tank. In lieu of septic, I'm using dry compost.

I've got a small solar array at this point, which I'm going to expand to include more solar, wind, and power from a steam turbine I'm building.

That ought to last about 2 weeks, until the county health department catches wind of it, and shuts his hippie ass down cold.

Thank God I ain't gonna live downwind of this asshole. :puke:
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: GOBUCKS on January 23, 2011, 02:22:07 PM
So he's using a slit trench in an area where you could reach the water table with a garden spade. Sounds good. The DUmmy may learn about how the hardy pioneers were usually dead by age 40.

Actually, living in a 30-foot Coachman, for a single DUmmy, is pretty good, and his parents seem to be supplying him with unlimited propane and generator gas. I'll bet poor, stupid Beth wishes she had it that good, crammed into a tiny little 40-year-old Airstream with her mother and dogs, out there in the California desert.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on January 23, 2011, 02:28:05 PM
I'll bet poor, stupid Beth wishes she had it that good, crammed into a tiny little 40-year-old Airstream with her mother and dogs, out there in the California desert.

I bet her neighbors never realized that stupid came in cans, and such large ones, at that.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: AllosaursRus on January 23, 2011, 02:38:51 PM
:puke: This part really grossed me out:

That ought to last about 2 weeks, until the county health department catches wind of it, and shuts his hippie ass down cold.

Thank God I ain't gonna live downwind of this asshole. :puke:

Outhouses are still legal here, as many places up in the hills are so far away from sewer and built on solid rock, there's no way your goin' to put in a septic tank. That bein' said, down in Florida I suspect the "Greeners" had them outlawed in order to try and move the Seminoles out years ago!

I'm not exactly sure what "dry compost" is, but it seems to me to be a contradiction in terms!
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: JohnnyReb on January 23, 2011, 02:58:20 PM
Outhouses are still legal here, as many places up in the hills are so far away from sewer and built on solid rock, there's no way your goin' to put in a septic tank. That bein' said, down in Florida I suspect the "Greeners" had them outlawed in order to try and move the Seminoles out years ago!

I'm not exactly sure what "dry compost" is, but it seems to me to be a contradiction in terms!

Look up "Dirt Comode"....you take a crap and cover it with very dry dirt and in a couple of weeks the 'crap' is dry dirt. You just keep shoveling the dry dirt back and forth for several times then get a fresh crop.

I have no experience with  "dry compost" but do have some with outhouses.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Randy on January 23, 2011, 03:03:16 PM
Huh Wikipedia IS good for something. It's an excellent source for learning about shit.  :-)



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composting_toilet
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: BlueStateSaint on January 23, 2011, 03:12:16 PM
Look up "Dirt Comode"....you take a crap and cover it with very dry dirt and in a couple of weeks the 'crap' is dry dirt. You just keep shoveling the dry dirt back and forth for several times then get a fresh crop.

I have no experience with  "dry compost" but do have some with outhouses.

We have one at the deer camp I belong to.  Twice a year, one of our local guys buys some microbal solution and pours it in.  There's a spring downslope from it, but we don't use it--we bring water in from a municipal system down by Albany.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Tucker on January 24, 2011, 05:21:33 AM
I'll bet poor, stupid Beth wishes she had it that good, crammed into a tiny little 40-year-old Airstream with her mother and dogs, out there in the California desert.

Let us not forget her brother. I thought he moved in a while back.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: GOBUCKS on January 24, 2011, 09:48:36 AM
Let us not forget her brother. I thought he moved in a while back.
Seems like he comes and goes between his psychotic episodes....or Beth's.
And her drug dealer son drops by between convictions. It's a big happy family.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: AprilRazz on January 24, 2011, 10:39:21 AM

I'm not exactly sure what "dry compost" is, but it seems to me to be a contradiction in terms!
Maybe it borrowed a spare litter box from the subway cat?
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on January 24, 2011, 11:10:16 AM
Maybe it borrowed a spare litter box from the subway cat?

Or Stinky!
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DefiantSix on January 24, 2011, 11:15:09 AM
Or Stinky!

As if it were his to dispense with.  Sparkly's cat would probably castrate you for merely suggesting any possibility of ownership rights to that catbox on the part of Stinky.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: true_blood on January 24, 2011, 11:15:40 AM
Quote
dixiegrrrrl  (1000+ posts)      Sun Dec-26-10 07:55 AM
Response to Original message
 2. Congratulations!!!! A 20 year dream realized. Wow. I hope it goes wonderful for you. I guarantee it will be memorable, adventurous, unpredictable, marvelous, and rewarding.
Also maybe cold????? Don't know where you are, but there is bound to be winter around there somewhere.
Yeah, congrats. ::)
Sounds like killer living quarters/conditions. ::) :whatever:
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DefiantSix on January 24, 2011, 11:23:30 AM
Yeah, congrats. ::)
Sounds like serial killer living quarters/conditions. ::) :whatever:

Fixed it for ya.  Who are we to hold it against the DUmbshit if he wants to live like the Uni-bonger?!?!
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: AllosaursRus on January 24, 2011, 11:25:49 AM
As if it were his to dispense with.  Sparkly's cat would probably castrate you for merely suggesting any possibility of ownership rights to that catbox on the part of Stinky.

Heh! The only sex StinkFinger has seen in years is that cat humpin' his leg! He's never gonna piss off his boyfriend! The box stays!
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: delilahmused on January 24, 2011, 11:34:45 AM
Outhouses are still legal here, as many places up in the hills are so far away from sewer and built on solid rock, there's no way your goin' to put in a septic tank. That bein' said, down in Florida I suspect the "Greeners" had them outlawed in order to try and move the Seminoles out years ago!

I'm not exactly sure what "dry compost" is, but it seems to me to be a contradiction in terms!

Our property came with an outhouse. It's on the other side of the pond, though. I thought it was disgusting and primitive until we had problems with the septic system and had to wait a day for the septic guys to come out. And it's quite handy when you're working on the other side of the property.

Cindie
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: AllosaursRus on January 24, 2011, 12:14:00 PM
Our property came with an outhouse. It's on the other side of the pond, though. I thought it was disgusting and primitive until we had problems with the septic system and had to wait a day for the septic guys to come out. And it's quite handy when you're working on the other side of the property.

Cindie

Yeah, we've got one of those old wooden spools the electric company uses we "transformed" into a make shit toilet out at our pond. We have picnics out there and the kids try and fish, though I think the fish have died out over the years due to snow cover, and the house is better than 300 yds away. Little tough to get there in times of "emergencies"! hehe!

Kinda lets ya "commune with nature" as there's no walls or ceiling!
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Wineslob on January 24, 2011, 01:56:49 PM
Wait till DumbDUmb figures out why most homes have a 200A service, and what it costs to replicate that with solar.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Tucker on January 24, 2011, 02:37:15 PM
Wait till DumbDUmb figures out why most homes have a 200A service, and what it costs to replicate that with solar.

Keep in mind that he has a 1800 watt generator. For reference, I have a 32' double slider. Minimum power to run it is 7000 watts. 5000 watts if I don't use the A/C.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: AllosaursRus on January 24, 2011, 02:48:51 PM
Keep in mind that he has a 1800 watt generator. For reference, I have a 32' double slider. Minimum power to run it is 7000 watts. 5000 watts if I don't use the A/C.

Wholly crap! What the hell do ya pull that Aircraft Carrier around with??????
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Chris_ on January 24, 2011, 02:49:45 PM
Keep in mind that he has a 1800 watt generator. For reference, I have a 32' double slider. Minimum power to run it is 7000 watts. 5000 watts if I don't use the A/C.

1700 watts would run my computer, a couple of lights, a space heater, and not much else.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: AllosaursRus on January 24, 2011, 03:05:46 PM
1700 watts would run my computer, a couple of lights, a space heater, and not much else.

One of my tank heaters is 1400 watts and I have three, if ya add the space heater in the pump hose to those, I'd be over already! Guess the guy don't intend to raise anything but those vegetable thingy's!

I guess he could raise peanuts for protein!
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Chris_ on January 24, 2011, 03:08:11 PM
...and burn the shells for heat :rofl:
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: compaqxp on January 24, 2011, 03:48:38 PM
Quote
7 acre

Thats it? I wonder how much that cost. I've got way more then that.

To do it right he should look at this http://www.coyotecottage.com, they did a good ob of something smiler. Lots of compromise though.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: LC EFA on January 24, 2011, 04:48:35 PM
The "dry-composting" toilets aren't all that bad really. When properly maintained and operated correctly, they don't stink and produce a sterile fertilizer.

They're in use in many parks and other facilities about here.

I'd be good with a 3KVA generator - given I have no real need for building heating and hot water for washing can be derived from other sources fairly easily and cheaply. AC is for the weak - and besides if you're running a farm you're gonna be outside most the time workin' yer ass out so you won't need it.

The only consideration there is irrigation and fire pumping - and you can get something suitable for a 7 acre lot that runs on gas or diesel.

There are a multitude of 12v "camping" fridge and fridge freezer combos available that suck a good deal less than 1000 watts - If you don't have a large family they're fine. Obviously you're not going to stuff a whole beast in one so if you plan to do that you'll need something a bit larger, or grow a smaller type of beast, or be in a position to trade with your neighbor for other things.


Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Chris_ on January 24, 2011, 04:50:39 PM
A correctly-built house with shade and adequate cross-ventilation shouldn't need AC unless you live in Death Valley (or Texas :wink:).
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Randy on January 24, 2011, 04:52:08 PM
A correctly-built house with shade and adequate cross-ventilation shouldn't need AC unless you live in Death Valley (or Texas :wink:).

You've never been to Florida in August have you?  :-)
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Tucker on January 24, 2011, 04:52:37 PM
Wholly crap! What the hell do ya pull that Aircraft Carrier around with??????

My pick up. It's a 3/4 ton HD.

Actually I don't pull it very much. It's set up in TN. We stay there when we go to TN. I'm taking my wife down on March 1st. She's not coming back to MI. I'm taking 3/4 of the furniture down before I take her down. Since it has 2 separate living rooms, we can manage to get along. I'm moving down this summer.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: GOBUCKS on January 24, 2011, 06:55:51 PM
A correctly-built house with shade and adequate cross-ventilation shouldn't need AC unless you live in Death Valley (or Texas :wink:).
Provided you don't mind being sweaty for several months every year. I grew up in a shady, cross-ventilated house, and it was okay - until we got AC and realized how miserable we'd been.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Chris_ on January 24, 2011, 06:59:54 PM
I live in a mostly-shady apartment.  I'm good until about late June when I have to turn the AC on to knock down the humidity.

How many watts does a de-humidifier use? :ha:
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Tucker on January 24, 2011, 07:08:26 PM
Provided you don't mind being sweaty for several months every year. I grew up in a shady, cross-ventilated house, and it was okay - until we got AC and realized how miserable we'd been.

Ain't it the truth.

I grew up in the mountains in east TN. I would go to bed and sweat all night. It was so hot, I couldn't have the sheet on top on me. This was in the 50's and no one had AC. We never went to walk in movies, only a drive-in. Walk ins were the only place that had AC. Gave it very little thought. My daddy got a 65 Pontiac Bonneville that had air. My first exposure to air in a car. It's been a must have ever since.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: LC EFA on January 24, 2011, 07:38:10 PM
I've lived on the coast in the tropics for most of my life.

Lowest temperature on record is something like 50 and the highest is more like 100.  Whole months go by in summer where it doesn't drop below 80.

Then there's the humidity.  :-)

I maintain. AC is for the weak.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: 98ZJUSMC on January 24, 2011, 07:56:04 PM
I live in a mostly-shady apartment.  I'm good until about late June when I have to turn the AC on to knock down the humidity.

How many watts does a de-humidifier use? :ha:

Same here.  If not for the humidity, I could get by with using it only 3-4 weeks per year. 

Summer of '09, I kicked it on 5 nights for sleeping.  That was it.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: IassaFTots on January 24, 2011, 08:01:09 PM
I've lived on the coast in the tropics for most of my life.

Lowest temperature on record is something like 50 and the highest is more like 100.  Whole months go by in summer where it doesn't drop below 80.

Then there's the humidity.  :-)

I maintain. AC is for the weak.



Then I am weak.  And I am ok with that.  

eta: Whole months go by from June to October where it doesn't drop below 90 here. 
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: thundley4 on January 24, 2011, 08:17:34 PM
Then I am weak.  And I am ok with that.  

eta: Whole months go by from June to October where it doesn't drop below 90 here. 

During the summer our shop at work is above 90, and my wife doesn't understand why I find 80-85 to be comfortable while just sitting around the house.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: IassaFTots on January 24, 2011, 08:46:01 PM
During the summer our shop at work is above 90, and my wife doesn't understand why I find 80-85 to be comfortable while just sitting around the house.

Dude.  During the summer my boyfriend's machine shop is above 90 as well.  And I don't understand why he thinks I should feel that 80-85 should be comfortable while just sitting around his house.   :whatever:

He doesn't even turn on the hot water to take a warm shower, only the cold faucet is turned on.  Oh hell no!
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: thundley4 on January 24, 2011, 08:48:09 PM
Dude.  During the summer my boyfriend's machine shop is above 90 as well.  And I don't understand why he thinks I should feel that 80-85 should be comfortable while just sitting around his house.   :whatever:

He doesn't even turn on the hot water to take a warm shower, only the cold faucet is turned on.  Oh hell no!

I take a hot shower, but will run cooler water at the end in summer. You can't feel clean washing without hot water.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: AllosaursRus on January 24, 2011, 09:37:50 PM
During the summer our shop at work is above 90, and my wife doesn't understand why I find 80-85 to be comfortable while just sitting around the house.

Yeah. I'm fine with 80. Anything over that and I'm liable to turn on the room air con. If we don't, the place will fill up with flies. Lots of 'em runnin' around outside with all the animals. If we keep it cool, they tend to stay out there with them.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: GOBUCKS on January 24, 2011, 11:36:53 PM
My house is like San Diego without the moonbats. 70-75 degrees year round. 
I may be weak, but I never sweat or shiver inside my house.
Sweating is for the outdoors or the gym. Shivering is for deer season.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: diesel driver on January 25, 2011, 01:36:02 AM
Ain't it the truth.

I grew up in the mountains in east TN. I would go to bed and sweat all night. It was so hot, I couldn't have the sheet on top on me. This was in the 50's and no one had AC. We never went to walk in movies, only a drive-in. Walk ins were the only place that had AC. Gave it very little thought. My daddy got a 65 Pontiac Bonneville that had air. My first exposure to air in a car. It's been a must have ever since.

You're not too far from me, I'm in SWVA, about 70 miles from Bristol.  YES, the humidity in these mountains can/will get rough.  You come in the house, soaking wet from sweat, and the thermometer reads low to mid 80's.  Feels REAL good in July/August when it gets into the 90's.   :-)
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: LC EFA on January 25, 2011, 03:18:23 AM
In summer here - I just sweat. It's good for ya. Nothing like 40 deg C and 95% humidity to sweat out a big night on the booze.  :-)

In winter I might even put on a shirt around the house AND turn off the ceiling fan on a particularly cold night.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Alpha Mare on January 25, 2011, 05:08:20 AM
Then I am weak.  And I am ok with that.  

eta: Whole months go by from June to October where it doesn't drop below 90 here. 

We had 79 days over 100° in 2009(26 in July)and the worst drought in 50 years.  The rainfall in last 2 weeks has brought us up to 'moderate drought'.  We're forecast for above-normal temps this summer. Yippee.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: IassaFTots on January 25, 2011, 08:08:29 AM
We had 79 days over 100° in 2009(26 in July)and the worst drought in 50 years.  The rainfall in last 2 weeks has brought us up to 'moderate drought'.  We're forecast for above-normal temps this summer. Yippee.

Last year I determined that there IS a difference between 98 and 108.   :-)
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Carl on January 25, 2011, 08:38:15 AM
Seeing how it was almost -30 yesterday morning I would be willing to give year around heat and humidity a try.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Rebel on January 25, 2011, 10:20:54 AM
Most rural areas are conservative, with cities being fairly liberal. Should we just assume the dipshit can't take the government he helped create?
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on January 25, 2011, 10:35:47 AM
Most rural areas are conservative, with cities being fairly liberal. Should we just assume the dipshit can't take the government he helped create?

They just can't help fouling the nest wherever they go, then moving on to create new ruin once they've made their current environs uninhabitable by humans.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: true_blood on January 25, 2011, 11:51:13 AM
Wait till DumbDUmb figures out why most homes have a 200A service, and what it costs to replicate that with solar.
HA! Would love to see the expression on the DUmmies face about that.  :-)
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: Rebel on January 25, 2011, 12:04:54 PM
They just can't help fouling the nest wherever they go, then moving on to create new ruin once they've made their current environs uninhabitable by humans.

Like Oregon, Wet Washington, and coming soon, Colorado.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: DefiantSix on January 27, 2011, 08:23:21 PM
Like Oregon, Wet Washington, and coming soon, Colorado.

Coming soon, my ass.  It's already happening here.  :banghead:  And not just because of the fruits, nuts and flakes in the People's Republic of Boulder, either (though I'm sure their shrill calls in the dark of night is part of what's bringing the out-of-state moonbats in).  Denver and Arapahoe county has been overrun with 'em; Pueblo is busting at the seams with teh Stoopid, too.
Title: Re: primitive goes back to rustic life-style
Post by: IassaFTots on January 27, 2011, 09:14:20 PM
Coming soon, my ass.  It's already happening here.  :banghead:  And not just because of the fruits, nuts and flakes in the People's Republic of Boulder, either (though I'm sure their shrill calls in the dark of night is part of what's bringing the out-of-state moonbats in).  Denver and Arapahoe county has been overrun with 'em; Pueblo is busting at the seams with teh Stoopid, too.

A couple years ago I was up in Denver visiting friends.  I was AMAZED!  I suppose I expected it in Boulder, but Denver?  I really didn't and I was surprised.